Newsletter

Water: Thirst is humanity's common trait

Since the season has passed that Alaskans "walk on water," and the ice is gone, water is plentiful again. The snowmelt is providing a lot of running water to fill the rivers and streams.

Fishing for food and fun, skiing and swimming, and just being by or on the water are enjoyable again. Warmer temperatures add to the fun.

My grandkids were here the fall of 2010 for their uncle's wedding. September was a bit chilly to be in the wading pool on the deck but I worked out a way for them to do so. An opened umbrella suspended upside down provided hooks for shower curtains to hang around the pool and hold in the warmth. A plastic can with a stock tank heater warmed the water that we dumped in the pool. Giggling, splashing, and laughing, our grandkids had a grand time. It was far from being a water park but fun all the same. Water is wonderful at a time like that.

Astronomers are constantly making new discoveries in space. In our own solar system, they search for one common thing, water. Living things, as we know them cannot exist without water. Water is a unique feature on earth, covering over 70 percent of its surface.

Thirst is a common factor in humanity. It is a daily need that has to be satisfied. Sports and energy drinks have multiplied with many different flavors. The CEO of a popular soda company once said, "A billion hours ago, human life appeared on the earth. A billion minutes ago, Christianity appeared. A billion seconds ago, the Beatles changed music forever. A billion (beverages of his brand) ago, was yesterday morning." This shows how much soda of just one brand is consumed in one day.

That may be why Jesus used water as an example of necessary spiritual blessing.

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life," he declared in John 4:14.

A recent translation renders John 7:38 this way, "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." Jesus introduced that topic by saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." Anyone can find out about what Jesus promised.

Thirst and appetites are everyday events. That is why Jesus said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." When you are having something to eat or drink, remember that Jesus has blessings for you that will satisfy beyond this life. It is worth it to come to him and drink of living water.

Mitch Glover is pastor of the Sterling United Pentecostal Church located on Swanson River Road at Entrada.